Program Manager – Defense Programs

Location: Columbus, Mississippi
Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Compensation: $120,000–$140,000
Schedule: Monday–Thursday | 7:00 AM–5:30 PM
Travel: Minimal

Lead High-Impact Defense Programs

We are partnering with a growing aerospace and defense manufacturer seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of large, complex Department of Defense programs.

This is a high-visibility opportunity for an accomplished defense Program Manager who has successfully managed $100M programs, understands the complexities of DoD contracting, and can confidently work with senior military leaders, government customers, executive leadership, and industry partners.

The Program Manager will serve as a critical link between the customer and internal teams across manufacturing, operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, and facilities, ensuring programs are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements.

Candidates coming from the defense industry/manufacturing side are strongly preferred. Experience supporting U.S. Navy programs is especially desirable.

What You'll Do

Program Planning & Execution

• Lead large-scale defense programs from planning through execution and delivery.

• Develop detailed program plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and resource requirements.

• Establish program scope, objectives, priorities, and timelines.

• Coordinate resources across multiple departments to ensure successful execution.

• Support proposals, contract planning, specifications, and financial requirements.

DoD Customer & Contract Management

• Serve as a key point of contact for government customers, senior military leaders, and industry partners.

• Manage complex DoD contracts and ensure all contractual commitments and deliverables are achieved.

• Lead customer discussions, program reviews, status meetings, and executive-level presentations.

• Identify customer concerns early and drive issues through resolution.

• Build trusted, long-term relationships with defense customers and strategic partners.

Budget & Cost Management

• Develop and manage program budgets.

• Monitor labor, materials, overhead, and other program costs.

• Track program performance against financial objectives.

• Identify cost risks and implement corrective actions when necessary.

• Ensure resources are used efficiently while maintaining program requirements.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead cross-functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, operations, engineering, quality, and facilities.

• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities, and expectations across the program.

• Drive accountability for schedule, cost, quality, and customer commitments.

• Resolve roadblocks and coordinate resources across multiple functional groups.

Risk & Change Management

• Identify program risks and develop effective mitigation and contingency plans.

• Continuously monitor cost, schedule, technical, supply chain, and operational risks.

• Manage changes to program scope, schedules, budgets, and resources.

• Document changes and ensure appropriate customer and internal approvals are obtained.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure programs comply with contractual, organizational, regulatory, and quality requirements.

• Support requirements related to ITAR and CMMC.

• Partner with Quality and Operations teams to address program quality concerns.

• Ensure documentation, reporting, and program governance remain accurate and current.

Strategic Program Leadership

• Support rapid program ramp-up and organizational growth.

• Integrate manufacturing capacity, facilities, operations, and supply chain strategy into program planning.

• Help establish long-term supplier and supply chain partnerships.

• Identify opportunities to improve program execution, scalability, cost, and delivery performance.

• Apply Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement principles throughout program execution.

What We're Looking For

• 10 years of Program Management experience within a Department of Defense environment.

• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale programs valued at $100M .

• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification required.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience.

• Strong experience managing defense contracts, schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, and customer expectations.

• Experience interacting directly with senior military leaders and government customers.

• Strong understanding of defense manufacturing, operations, and supply chain environments.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project.

• Strong executive communication, presentation, organization, and documentation skills.

• Ability to lead complex cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.

• Must meet applicable U.S. person requirements for ITAR-controlled work.

Highly Preferred

• Program management experience working for a defense contractor, aerospace manufacturer, or other industry-side DoD organization.

• Significant experience supporting U.S. Navy programs.

• Experience integrating manufacturing, operations, facilities, and supply chain into large defense programs.

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

• ERP system experience.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of significant defense programs while working directly with executive leadership, military customers, and industry partners.

You'll have the ability to influence not only individual program performance, but also broader manufacturing expansion, supply chain strategy, operational execution, and the long-term growth of a rapidly scaling aerospace and defense organization.

If you've successfully led major DoD programs and are looking for a role where you can have a meaningful impact on program execution and organizational growth, we'd like to hear from you.

#LI-KR1
MOHR Talent is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been discriminated against or have concerns about our compliance, please contact our Human Resources department at hr@themohrgrp.com